Forks What about these Forks

[DRL]

I am about ready to pull the trigger and get forks for my Kubota L3400. The FEL is only rated at 1600 lbs. so ether of these should be fine. Has anyone had experience with these or the Ebay seller.

NEW SKIDSTEER PALLET FORKS 42" skid steer attachment - eBay (item 300486932877 end time Nov-08-10 03:34:04 PST)

NEW SKIDSTEER PALLET FORKS 36" skid steer attachment - eBay (item 360315888411 end time Nov-08-10 23:15:20 PST)

Thanks
DRL

 

[TXsingleshot]

DRL,
I had considered one of these but bought the 42" forks from Everything Attachments that advertises here along with a tooth bar from them.
What sold me was how easy it is to adjust the width and that you can see past the back of them. But the main thing is they are light weight. The ones you are looking at on ebay weigh over 375 pounds, about 150 more than the ones I bought. The 3400 is already on the light side of what it will handle and to give up another 150 pounds just didn't make since.
Scott

 

[DRL]

Thanks for the reply. There Bradco forks were the other ones I was looking at, but they are $160 more. I was wondering if the ebay add says "more than 375#" to make it sound more heavy duty and that is really shipping weight?

DRL

 

[John_in_TN]

I will add another vote for the light-weight 42" forks from Everything Attachments. Got mine in 07 and am really pleased with them. They will easily handle anything a 1600 lb loader can lift while providing more usagle lift than those heavier forks.

 

[DRL]

Thanks John, I grew up in middle Tenn. Lots of fond memories. I'll sleep on it this weekend and order something.

DRL

 

[k0ua]

Um.. your loader on the L3400 is rated for 1600 lbs?
Is it the LA463? Thats whats on mine.. and its rated for only 1142 lbs at the pivot pin and 1014 in the center of the bucket. no big deal, but I would think that the lighter the forks the better, as long as they can hold up to the stress.
Just food for thought..
James K0UA

 

[DRL]

Koua, yes it is theLA463. You had me questioning my memory (or what little is left) so I went and found the manual. Not sure what it means but a couple of lines down from your 1142lbs it has 1503lbs at the pins. Must be at a different point in the arc. Yes the light ones should be fine.

DRL

 

[Foodplot]

If you want a low cost, tough alternative to pallet forks, here's what I've done on the L3400.
Buy this:
King Kutter Incorporated
Set it in the bucket, use two, ten-foot sections of chain and a load binder to strap it to the bucket, one chain on each side looped around a fork and an upright, and behind the bucket.
If you don't need adjustable or thin forks, it works fine, and fits standard pallets. Works well for transporting brush and logs, too.
I can install in about three minutes. When not strapped to the bucket, makes a great carryall with a pallet on the three point hitch.

 

[sailorman]

If you want a low cost, tough alternative to pallet forks, here's what I've done on the L3400.
Buy this:
King Kutter Incorporated
Set it in the bucket, use two, ten-foot sections of chain and a load binder to strap it to the bucket, one chain on each side looped around a fork and an upright, and behind the bucket.

Do have any pics showing exactly how you chained it ? Looks like the low budget solution I 've been looking for.

 

[DRL]

Thanks Foodplot, I also thought about clamp on forks but they and your idea will push the load farther forward reducing they capacity of the FEL.

DRL

 

[Foodplot]

I'll take a pic. Yes it does move the center of the load forward. However, with the fork chained to the bucket, I can still lift my 6 ft. tiller into the back of the truck, and that extra forward thrust helps the load clear the bedwalls of the truck and fenders of my trailer when side loading.
I also welded up a frame to which the pallet fork bolts, and which replaces the bucket, mitigating the extra weight/reach issue. However, it's a pain to switch, I use the bucket a lot, and I don't need to reach the theoretical maximum lift.

 

[Foodplot]

Here's a pic of how I secure a 3-pt. pallet fork to my front bucket. Easy, and most importantly, fast.

 

[sailorman]

Here's a pic of how I secure a 3-pt. pallet fork to my front bucket. Easy, and most importantly, fast.

Thanks for the pic. Now I understand.

 

[jb62901]

Made these forks for the TPH last year, moved them to the FEL awhile ago to unload a flatbed. John

Rear
http://oi37.tinypic.com/wlytqh.jpg

Front
http://oi56.tinypic.com/2cf369y.jpg

Platform
http://oi54.tinypic.com/2d9xlr4.jpg

 

[DRL]

Thanks for all the good ideas. I just ran across a pair of old forklift forks, haven't bought them yet. Now I'm thinking of building my own frame for them.
Is $150 a good price for a pair of old forks.

DRL